PITTSBURGH, Nov. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Months of dedication and hard work in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) paid off tonight for four students named National Finalists in the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology, the nation's premier research competition. A biophysics research project on brain signals earned top honors and the $3,000 Individual scholarship for Jiayi Peng of Chappaqua, New York. Research on the tumor suppressing protein COP-1 won the $6,000 Team scholarship for Jeremy Appelbaum of Woodmere, New York,and William Gil and Allen Shin of Valley Stream, New York.

The students presented their research this weekend to a panel of judges from Carnegie Mellon University, host of the Region 4 Finals. They are now invited to present their work on a national stage at the National Finals in Washington, DC, December 1-4, 2012, where $500,000 in scholarships will be awarded, including two top prizes of $100,000. The Siemens Competition, a signature program of the Siemens Foundation, is administered by the College Board.

"These students have invested time, energy and talent in tackling challenging scientific research at a young age," said Jeniffer Harper-Taylor, president of the Siemens Foundation. "The recognition they have won today demonstrates that engagement in STEM is an investment well worth making."

The Winning Individual

Jiayi Peng, a senior at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua, New York, won the individual category and a $3,000 college scholarship for studying critical avalanches of neural activity that are the physiological bases for actions, thoughts and emotions.

Jiayi's project, A Cellular Automaton Model for Critical Dynamics in Neuronal Networks, could help determine how distinct neurological mechanisms can differentiate a healthy brain from one with a neurological disorder such as epilepsy, autism or Alzheimer's disease.

"Jiayi's model utilizes a remarkably simply feedback mechanism that allows it to reach and maintain a critical state," said competition judge Dr. Markus Deserno, Associate Professor of Physics, Carnegie Mellon University. "Since critical avalanches are often missing from brains with disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and schizophrenia, Jiayi's contribution also sheds new light onto these neurological conditions. Someday, her work might help us find a treatment for these ailments."

Jiayi is a National Merit Semifinalist and has received Moody's Math Challenge National Honorable Mention and the US Navy and Marine Corps Science Award. A pianist, Jiayi has won an award in the Golden Key Piano competition. Jiayi is actively involved in community service. As a tenth grader, she founded Kits4Kids, a club dedicated to raising money for children, especially girls, to continue their education. Jiayi plans to major in physics or mathematics and aspires to be a researcher or professor in one of these fields. She was mentored by Dr. John M. Beggs, Associate Professor of Biophysics, Indiana University.

The Winning Team

Jeremy Appelbaum, William Gil and Allen Shin, seniors at George W. Hewlett High School inHewlett, New York, won the team category and will share a $6,000 scholarship for research that may help scientists better understand COP-1, a protein that acts as a tumor suppressor in humans and controls light-dependent development in plants.

In their project,COP1 Arrests Photomorphogenesis in Dark Grown Gametophytes of Ceratopteris richardii; A Study of COP1 in Cryptogams, the team established a new model system to research COP-1. Their research may provide a way to more easily study the function of plant COP-1, further helping us understand this multifunctional protein.

"An especially impressive aspect of this project is that it was conceived, designed and carried out entirely with the resources available in the team's high school laboratory," said competition judge Dr. Javier Lopez, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University. "Down the road, the team's research may shed light on tumor suppressing proteins."

Jeremy is a member of his school's newspaper, volleyball team, and a student tutor. He would like to major in biology or chemistry and aspires to be a physician.

William is president of the leadership group, WAFL (We are Future Leaders). He volunteers at the American Cancer Society and is a member of the varsity fencing team. William would like to become a biomedical researcher.

Allen plays volleyball for his school and participates in an annual mission trip to help residents of impoverished areas. Allen would like to become a doctor.

The team was mentored by Dr. Terrence Bissoondial, Biological Research Teacher, George W. Hewlett High School, Hewlett, New York.

Regional Finalists

The remaining regional finalists each received a $1,000 scholarship. Regional Finalists in the individual category were:

Ranjeev Chabra, Syosset High School, Syosset, New York

Christina Chen, Newton North High School, Newton, Massachusetts

David Hamann, Yorktown High School, Yorktown Heights, New York

Peijin Zhang, Lexington High School, Lexington, Massachusetts

Team Regional Finalists were:

Evan Chernack, South Side High School, Rockville Centre, New York, and Aneri Kinariwalla, Sayville High School, Sayville, New York

Vickram Gidwani, Horace Mann School, New York, New York, and Daniel McQuaid, Ossining High School, Ossining, New York

Anna Guo and Jasmine Lam, Midwood High School at Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, New York

Shweta Iyer and Shilpa Iyer, Comsewogue High School, Port Jefferson Station, New York

The Siemens Competition

Launched in 1998, the Siemens Competition is the nation's premier science research competition for high school students. 2,255 students registered to enter the Siemens Competition this year for a total 1,504 projects submitted. 323 students were named semifinalists and 93 were named regional finalists, representing 25 states. Entries are judged at the regional level by esteemed scientists at six leading research universities which host the regional competitions: California Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Notre Dame and The University of Texas at Austin.

Follow us on the road to the Siemens Competition: Follow us on Twitter @SFoundation (#SiemensComp) and like us on Facebook at SiemensFoundation. Then visit www.siemens-foundation.org at 9:30am EST on December 4 for a live webcast of the National Finalist Awards Presentation.

The Siemens Foundation

The Siemens Foundation provides more than $7 million annually in support of educational initiatives in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in the United States. Its signature programs include the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology, Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement, and The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, which encourages K-12 students to develop innovative green solutions for environmental issues. By supporting outstanding students today, and recognizing the teachers and schools that inspire their excellence, the Foundation helps nurture tomorrow's scientists and engineers. The Foundation's mission is based on the culture of innovation, research and educational support that is the hallmark of Siemens' U.S. companies and its parent company, Siemens AG. For more information, visit www.siemens-foundation.org.

The College Board

The College Board is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the College Board was created to expand access to higher education. Today, the membership association is made up of more than 6,000 of the world's leading educational institutions and is dedicated to promoting excellence and equity in education. Each year, the College Board helps more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college through programs and services in college readiness and college success — including the SAT® and the Advanced Placement Program®. The organization also serves the education community through research and advocacy on behalf of students, educators and schools. For further information, visit www.collegeboard.org.